"What can they be doing?"

"I bet they are inventing some new starch."

"No, gentlemen," said Quelus, "we are talking of the chase."

"Really, Signor Cupid," said Bussy; "it is very cold for that.
It will chap your skin."

"Monsieur," replied Maugiron, politely, "we have warm gloves,
and doublets lined with fur."

"Ah! that reassures me," said Bussy; "do you go soon?"

"To-night, perhaps."

"In that case I must warn the king; what will he say to-morrow,
if he finds his friends have caught cold?"

"Do not give yourself that trouble, monsieur," said Quelus, "his
majesty knows it."

"Do you hunt larks?" asked Bussy, with an impertinent air.

"No, monsieur, we hunt the boar. We want a head. Will you hunt
with us, M. Bussy?"

"No, really, I cannot. To-morrow I must go to the Duc d'Anjou
for the reception of M. de Monsoreau, to whom monseigneur has